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By MURRAY
HUBBARD
1 February 2010
Small car specialist Suzuki has released its 2010 all-wheel drive
SX4 hatch with an all-new engine and new transmission options. At
the same time the company has launched a new two-wheel drive model
which will come under the SX4 banner in all states but Queensland,
which elected to capitalise on the popular Liana name, dropped in
2008.
The inclusion of the Liana name in Queensland separates the
all-wheel drive SX4 AWD from the two-wheel drive only Liana. In
all states but Queensland the 2WD variant will be known as the SX4
while the all-wheel-drive model will continue with the SX4 AWD
naming.
Names aside, the new Liana (SX4) and SX4 AWD will share the new
2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine as well as new continuously
variable transmission (CVT) transmission and a new six-speed
manual transmission.
Liana will come in sedan and hatchback models while the SX4 AWD is
hatch only. The 2010 version of the SX4 AWD will be available in
two equipment grades – GLX and S series – while there is an
entry level Liana GLX hatch and S Series hatch and sedan. Pricing
starts at $20,490 (before on road costs) for the Liana and $23,490
for the SX4 AWD.
In addition to the new engine and transmission options, the SX4
AWD has been given a minor facelift. There's a new egg-crate style
front grille, new colours, new instrument cluster with more
information, improved illumination for the steering wheel
switches, new black seat fabric, front seat arm rests, extra
padding for the door arm rests, centre mounted dashboard speaker,
MP3 socket, single fold rear seat (was a tumble fold) and new
automatic air conditioning control panel.
Suzuki has not only added the CVT transmission but also the
optional changing methods with a traditional sequential shifter
plus steering-wheel mounted paddles on the higher grade models.
The CVT automatically gives the driver a near-unlimited number of
transmission ratios. These are controlled according to engine
torque, gear speed, load, the driver's input through the throttle
and shift lever or brakes.
Both cars also have the new six-speed manual transmission for
those who like doing the work themselves. On all models of both
the Liana (SX4) and SX4 AWD the CVT transmission plus other
upgrades add $2000 over the cost of the six-speed manual. The new
engine has a 21 per cent power advantage over the old Liana. The
CVT slashes the previous figure for Liana automatic from 8.5
litres/100 km to 7.6 litres/100 km.
Both Liana models feature four-wheel disc brakes. Liana GLX hatch
gets driver and passenger airbags only; both sedan and hatch
S-Series also get side and curtain airbags. While the GLX also
misses out on electronic stability program, all other safety
features are identical.
The top of the line S series gets alloy wheels, folding centre arm
rest on front seats, rear spoiler. Foglights, leather wrapped
steering wheel, cruise control, keyless start, climate control and
some chromed trim features, also set the S series apart from the
GLX.
All models have a CD with auxiliary
socket for MP3 players, centre speaker incorporated into the
dashboard and air conditioning with digital climate control. GLX
gets power windows, remote central locking, 16-inch steel wheels,
ABS and EBD.
Suzuki Auto Co, Queensland's independent Suzuki distributor,
launched both vehicles to the motoring media at the Mount Cotton
Driver Training Facility, south of Brisbane. Our first drive of
the Liana (SX4) and SX4 AWD was confined to ABS tests runs, ESP
wet top testing and a short gymkhana run at the Mt Cotton
facility. The new engine puts out a modest 112 kW at 6200 rpm and
an equally modest 190 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm . As such this is
not the fastest crossover or sedan on the market.
The Liana is a much sportier looking vehicle than that which
Suzuki marketed here previously although it still sits a little
high. Behind the wheel it is functional and the new CVT gets the
most out of the engine. We like the tiptronic shifter which seems
to harness the power in a more elegant way than simply leaving the
car in auto with the fairly typical `slipping clutch' sensation
you get with many CVT transmissions. The six-speed manual is light
and smooth. Despite the car's high stance it corners quite well,
although both the SX4 AWD and the Liana have a fair bit of body
roll and both understeer under hard, tight cornering.
The complete Suzuki SX4/Liana range, with prices (excluding
government and dealer charges) is:
SX4 AWD GLX 2.0-litre hatch: $23,490 (manual), $25,490 (CVT)
SX4 AWD S-Series 2.0-litre hatch: $25,690 (manual), $27,690 (CVT)
SX4 2WD (Liana) GLX 2.0-litre hatch: $20,490 (manual), $22,490 (CVT)
SX4 2WD (Liana) S-Series 2.0-litre hatch: $23,490 (manual),
$25,490 (CVT)
SX4 2WD (Liana) S-Series 2.0-litre sedan: $23,990 (manual),
$25,490 (CVT)
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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